The humble air fryer is arguably the kitchen gadget of the decade. From dual-basket models to stackable tower designs, there are now hundreds to choose from, but for me, nothing comes close to beating the Ninja crispi.

One of the top air fryers I’ve ever reviewed, it cooks meals directly in transparent glass containers that double as food storage, saving both space and washing up. The only catch? That Ninja tax commanding a premium price tag.

Thankfully, everyone’s favourite budget supermarket has swooped in with a cheaper glass air fryer that looks and works in much the same way. Taking inspiration from the Ninja crispi, Lidl’s new air fryer ditches those clunky pull-out drawers for transparent dishwasher-safe glass containers that sit underneath a removable heating pod.

Just like the Ninja crispi, you cook all your meals in the glass containers, and can then seal them shut with leak-proof lids to store in the fridge or freezer. You get one large 4l container, which can fit a whole chicken, and one small 2l container for single portions.

Lidl’s air fryer features four cooking modes – air fry, roast, re-fry and keep warm, and you can set the temperature from 60C to 200C. Landing in the middle aisle next week, here’s everything you need to know.

Read more: **Best dual air fryers, reviewed **

When can you buy Lidl’s glass air fryer?

Lidl’s Silvercrest glass air fryer will arrive in stores on Sunday 2 August. As with all of Lidl’s glorious middle aisle finds, stock won’t hang around for long. Once it’s gone, it’s gone.

How much does Lidl’s glass air fryer cost?

Lidl’s glass air fryer costs £49.99 with a Lidl Plus loyalty card, between 2 to 8 August, saving you £10 off the usual £59.99 retail price. If it’s still in stock after the introductory offer ends, you’ll need to pay the full £59.99, so I’d recommend setting an alarm.

Best Ninja crispi deals

If you'd rather stick with the original, the Ninja crispi has been slashed in price by 23 per cent at Amazon, taking it down to £115. Still one of my favourite air fryers, I awarded it five stars in my review. “The Ninja crispi might just be the brand's best value air fryer yet,” I wrote. “It’s honestly a game-changer being able to watch your food cook in the glass bowl.”

I also praised its modular design, saying it made the appliance “easier to store, clean and maybe even upgrade in the future”, adding “it cooked my food fast, well and with a delightful crisp”.